Community Building Thru Community Pantry

“Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan”. With this slogan practically all side streets in many local government units have displayed every food item, clothing needs and the like where a person gets what he needs thus leaving to others to partake whatever remains available. Dubbed as the Community Pantries, the system is not really a new approach for sharing what one has, as since time immemorial we have been exercising the bayanihan system where one shares to others what he has. It is unfortunate however, that the organizer who conceptualized the idea has been reportedly profiled and red-tagged by some police authorities. The bayanihan spirit has always been traditionally the Filipino way of solidarity and sharing of what one has to the less fortunate. Any attempt therefore to demonize this noble expression of one’s compassion and caring for others is sure to be met with condemnation from the public. We can also say that if one cannot be part of the solution, at least one should not be part of the problem. It’s not surprising therefore, that inspired by the example set by the Maginhawa Community Pantry, similar undertakings have sprouted like wildfire throughout the country. Here in Camarines Sur we have started similar endeavors- one in Calabanga, in Bagumbayan, and others soon to start such as the one at the gate of the Ateneo de Naga University sponsored by concerned Ateneans. These phenomena are all expressions of how deep and widespread the suffering, hunger and need among our citizenry in these most trying and difficult times. We are called upon by our own consciences to participate in such a noble and pure exercise of our humanity. This writer, through this column, encourages everyone to pitch in and be part of an expression of our universal brotherhood and love.

TRIVIA:

Belated birthday greetings to our son Jesus Arnel who celebrated his birth anniversary last April 20. He is now a permanent resident of Los Angeles, Calif. together with his wife Rakel, daughter Sofia and son Ethan who are all U.S. citizens.

Greetings also to Sieglinde Borromeo of the UP Alumni Association whose birthday anniversary was last April 15. Sieglinde is with Biggs Diner as Administrative Manager. Likewise, greetings to our compadre Roberto “Obet” Obiedo, owner/operator of Villa Caceres Hotel who celebrated his birthday anniversary last Tuesday April 20.

Belated birthday greetings also to my sister-in-law Angelita Henshaw whose birthday anniversary was last April 11. She is now a permanent resident of San Diego, Calif. and a U.S. citizen.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“LOVE AND COMPASSION ARE NECESSITIES, NOT LUXURIES. WITHOUT THEM HUMANITY CANNOT SURVIVE.”

DALAI LAMA

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“WHAT DOES LOVE LOOK LIKE? IT HAS THE HANDS TO HELP OTHERS. IT HAS THE FEET TO HASTEN TO THE POOR AND NEEDY. IT HAS THE EYES TO SEE MISERY AND WANT. IT HAS THE EARS TO HEAR SIGHS AND SORROWS OF MEN. THAT IS WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE.”

ST. AUGUSTINE